Lucifer
/ˈluːsɪfə/ · name
Meaning
- The planet Venus as the daystar (the morning star).
- The King of Babylon who was compared to the planet Venus in first the Wycliffe version then the King James Version of Isaiah 14:12; it is unclear whether this verse refers to a specific king or to a representation of the entire line of kings of Babylon.
- Satan, the Devil.
- Ellipsis of lucifer match, sulfur or phosphorus friction matches.
Etymology / origin
From Middle English Lucifer, from Latin Lūcifer (from lūx (“light”) + ferō (“bear, carry”)). Attested in Old English as Lūċifer. Replaced native calque lēohtberend (“lightbearer”) also from the same Latin source. Application of the name to Satan results from what is probably a misinterpretation of Isaiah 14:12 (whence also the corresponding sense of morning star).
- Lūcifer(la)→
- Lucifer(Middle English)→
- *lewk-(ine-pro)→
- Lucifer (English)
- Relations: root, inh, der
Related words
Descendant words
- ルシファー(Japanese) (bor)
- 루시퍼(Korean) (bor)
Sources
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